Door-controlling mechanism.



B. W. GAIR.

DOOR CONTROLLNG MECHANISIVI.

NVENTOR.

V n Bd TTORNEYS.

B. W. GAIR.

Dona coNmoLLlNG MECHANJSM.

PPL|CAT|0N FILED JUNE 4, 914. Y lig. aiented Feb. 6,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES; Q Xg/fw of? @7% BY fj, ATTORNEYS.

BLAIR W. GAIR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DOOR-CONTROLLING MECHANISIVL Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 191i?.

AppIeaton led June 4, 1914. Serial No. 842,860.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, BLAIR WV. GAIR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of llinois, haveinvented certain new and useful lmprovements in Door-ControllingMechanism, of which the following is a description.

rlhe invention belongs to that general class of devices for controllingor closing of doers, and relates particularly to a controlling mechanismwhich is adapted to be earried by the door and operatively connectedwith the tleor or structure, but which mechanism may be mounted vin theioor if desired, and operatively connected to the door.

rlhe invention has among its objects the production of a checking devicewhich will positively close the door and normally maintain it` closed,which device may be suitably adjusted or regulated to conform to thedifferent requirements that are met with in different installations.

The invention also has among its objects the production of a compactmechanism which may be carried by the door or inserted in the floor, andwhich is suitable to double or single acting doors.

lt has among its further objects the production of device of the kinddescribed that is simple, convenient, durable, compact, eilicient,adjustable and satisfactory, that may be manufactured at comparativelysmall cost, and which will not easily get out of order.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure l is a sectional view through thecontrolling mechanism, taken substantially on line l, l of Fig. 2. Fig.2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line :2, 2 of Fig. l; Fig.3 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. l; Fig. tis a sectional view taken substantially en line 4, 4 ot Fig. l; Fig. 5is a sectional view taken substantially' on line 5, 5 of Fig. l; Fig. 6is a side elevation of the mechanism, including the parts for securingthe device to the door and operatively connecting the same with thebuilding or structure; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantiallythrough line 7 7 of Fig. 6; Fig.

8 is a top plan view of the member ell; Fig. 9 is a front elevation ofthe member Fig. l0 is a top elevation of the same; and F ig. ll is asectional view of a plate adapted to be secured to the door and c0-Qperate with the controlling mechanism when said mechanism is installedin the floor.

Referring to the drawings, in which my preferred form of device isshown, I have indi Y'ated the door, frame and floor in dotted lines in Fig. l, l being a door, 2 the floor and 3 the door frame. ln this casethe door mechanism is installed and carried byI the door l, suitablemeans being provided for operatively connecting the controllingmechanism with the fixed part of the structure. is shown, l haveprovided a suitable casing e', having a lug 5 projecting from the lowerend arranged for engagement with a bracket, for pivotally connecting thedoor and carying it from the door frame or floor. The casing is providedwith a removable top G, and with a removable plug Sat one end, thecasing being oil containing. Projecting' 'trom the easing at the top orcover is a shaft 9, which carries or is provided with a gear segment l0,having suitable teeth thereon. rlhe teeth l0 are arranged to mesh withsuitably formed teeth on sliding yoke ll, the yoke being closed at theend as at l2, which part is arranged to cooperate with the post or shaft9, as will be hereafter more fully set forth. Secured to the yoke member1l is a member 1.4L and member 1G, and plunger 20, the part 1G beingsecured to the sides ll by screws 15, or their equivalents for thepurpose.

As most clearly shown iu Figs. l and 3, a stationary abutment or memberl? is arranged in the casing, and between the member or part 14T and theabutment 17 is arranged a. spring 1S, the spring tending to normallymaintain the parts in the position shown in Figs. l and 8. Arrangedbelow the yoke member in the chamber formed in the casing, is a plunger20, the same being operatively secured to the yoke members ift and i 16by screws 2l, or their Wjuivalents for the purpose. Means is alsojnovided for normally maintaining the plunger or piston 2O in theposition shown, it being understood that the spring 1S in the doorchamber also tends to maintain the parts in the position shown. l haveshown a spring 22, which bears against the end of the plunger :2G at oneend, and at the opposite end bears against an adjustable member so thatthe tension of the spring may be varied so as to control the operationor permit regulation of the mechanism. A nut member 23 is arranged on athreaded bolt which extends to the exterior of the device, as at Acollar or flange 29 on the bolt acts as a stop for the bolt and preventsits being moved to the exterior of the casing. When, nowever, the boltend and part is rotated, the nut 23 is moved upon the bolt, therebyincreasing or decreasing the tension of the spring, depending upon whichdirection the bolt is rotated.

In the detachable plug 8 is arranged ducts or ports 27 and 28, andcarried by the plug and extending through the end of the plunger, is apipe 30, having an opening or duct 26 therein. It will be noted byreferring particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, there is some space at the endof the plunger about the pipe 30. Slidably mounted on a pipe is a valvemember 31, which extends through the opening in the plunger, and isprovided with flanges 32, which tend to normally prevent the valve fromdisarrangement, the valve acting like any check valve. The passage ofHuid through the ducts 26, 27 and 28 is normally controlled by a needlevalve 34, suitably mounted in a stufling box member lVhen the device isapplied to a door, I preferably secure the same in place on the door byplates 37 (see Fig. G) which are preferably secured to the casing 4 byscrews 38, on their equivalents for the purpose. It will be noted byreferring to this figure that the valve member 34 projects through theface of the place 37. rIhe d'oor is carried by a plate 39 having a holefor the reception of the pin or lug 5 on the casing 4. In the figures Ihave shown, the plate 39 extended as at 40 and suitably secured to thedoor frame. Preferably adjustably secured to the extension 40 is amember 41. Referring particularly to Figs. 7 S and-9, member 41 isprovided with lugs 44 adapted to extend in between the lugs 43 on themember 40, the parts being secured together by a pin 42. rIlhe member 41carries a member 45 adapted to be secured on the shaft 9, the same beingprevented from rotating about the shaft by a pin 46, or its equivalent.The member 45 is preferably adjustably mounted in the member 41, and ismaintained in the desired relation relative thereto by bolts 47extending therethrough and arranged to cooperate with the pin 4G. As isobvious, by this constructionthe door may be adjusted relative the shaft9, so that it may be centered, or may be adjusted for variousconditions, as for example against excessive wind pressure against oneside of the door. If two of the bolts 47 be removed, for example therear one on one side and the forward one on the other it will allow themember 45 to be turned when the door is opened in one direction, withthe retarding and returning mechanism remaining idle. The remainingbolts 47 will engage and bring the mechay@ nism into action when thedoor is opened the other way, so that with an extra hinge so assembledand placed on a door (not considered necessary to illustrate) more powermay be obtained on one side than the other, 1; thereby making the sameapplicable for different conditions. The upper end of the door may, ofcourse, be suitably secured in position in any desired way. In view ofthe fact, however, that any suitable mechanism may be employed for thepurpose I have not considered it necessary to illustrate herein nordescribe in detail any particular mechanism.

When the device is installed in the floor, the plates 37 may be omitted,as may also be the members 39, 40 and 41. In place of these members Iemploy a plate member 5G, adapted to be secured to the bottom of thedoor. rIhis member carries mechanism similar to that carried by member41. Referring to Fig. 11, member 58 is mounted on the end of the spindleor shaft 59 (similar to shaft or spindle 9) the same being secured inplace by a pin G0. Screw or bolt members 57 maintain the parts in thedesired relation similar to the bolts 47.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows,assuming that the parts are as shown in the drawings, so that the 10odoor is in closed position: As the door is swung to one side, the shaftor spindle 9 being locked against movement by the meinbers 40 and 41 andallied parts, the teeth of the gear segment 10 move the yoke 11 in 105the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig.

3. This causes the springs 1S and 22 to be compressed., and at the sametime Huid in the plunger chamber flows through the opening in the end ofthe plunger and past the check valve to the other side of Vthe plunger.Some fluid, of course, may flow through the pipe 30 and ducts to theother side of the plunger. lVhen the door is released the springs tendto normally return the saine to the position shown. However, thecheckvalve 31 closes so that the fluid between the plunger and plug 3 mustflow through duct 2S, 27 and the duct 26 in the pipe 30, to the otherside of the plunger. The valve 3.4 may be regulated so as te control theflow, thereby giving any desired degree of checking. It will beparticularly noted that the first movement of the yoke is caused by oneof the corners at the flat face of the gear segment. The result of thisis that a little more force is required for starting the door than incontinuing this movement, so that that same is not easily swung back andforth by a differ- 13G ence in pressure at the tivo sides of the door.Likewise, the flat part, when the parts are returned to position,springs the door back to the desired centering point. The operations aresubstantially the saine Where the device is installed in the floor, andthe plate 56 shown in F ig. ll 'used on the door, except, however, inthis case the casing remains stationary While the shaft or spindleprovided With the gear teeth is rotated, the effect being the same. twill be seen that the device is applicable for installation on the dooror in the floor, or for single or double acting doors. lt Will also beseen that with the construction sho-Wn practically all of the requiredadjustments are possible. The device may be applied at any point on thedoor, and Where desired more than one may be used, as for example Wherethe door is very heavy, or Where there is excessive Wind pressure or thelike on one side of the door. It Will be particularly noted that withthe device described not only is the door closed, but it is likewisechecked, the door being brought to its normal position, or raised andmaintained in that position by the flat face bearing against the end ofthe yoke member.. The device is likewise applicable for single or doubledoors, and in fact for practically every kind of door, and for allconditions. It might be mentioned that with the device constructed asshoivn there is no chance for the liuid or oil contained Within thecasing to leak from the casing, since the spindle or shaft eX- tendsthrough the top of the casing instead of below.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same Without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence l do not Wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement orcombination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

TVhat l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. in adevice of the kind described and in combination, a casing, and means forsecuring the same to a door, means for pivotally supporting said casingand door, and said casing provided with an oil containing chambertherein, a plunger a 1ranged in said chamber, a communicating chamberarranged proximate to said plunger chamber, means arranged in saidplunger chamber for normally maintaining said plunger in operativeposition, a y'oke member arranged in the adjacent chamber andoperatively connected with said plunger, auxiliary means for resilientlymaintaining said yoke and plunger in operative positions, a shaftarranged in said adjacent chamber and provided with means for engagingsaid yoke, said shaft projecting to the exterior of the casing, andmeans for operatively connecting said shaft to the fixed part of thestructure.

Q. in a door checking device of the kind described and in combination, afioor plate, a fluid containing easing pivotally carried by said plateand provided with means for securing' the same to a door, a shaftarranged in said casing and projecting therefrom at the top sidethereof, means carried by said floor plate for engaging said shaft endand preventing the rotation thereof, said casing provided With tivocommunicating chambers arranged one above the other, yieldable meansarranged in said chambers and cooperating with said shaft for opposingthe movement of the door and casing' about its pivotal support andreturning the same to a closed position, said means comprising afluid-controlled plunger arranged in one chamber., resilient means foropposing the movement of said plunger and returning the same to normalposition, means control lable from the ex erior of the casing foradjusting the resilient means, a shaft engaging member arranged in theother chamber', said n'ieinber connected with said plunger, andauxiliary resilient means for normally returning the said engagingmember to normal position.

ln a device of the kind described and in combination, an oil containingcasing provided with means for securing' the same to a door, a floorplate arranged to pivotally support said casing and door, said casingpro- .vided with a plurality of oil containing chambers therein, an oilcontrolled plunger arranged in one of said chambers, a spring arrangedWithin said chamber, and arranged to cooperate with said plunger tooppose the movement thereof or return the same to normal operativeposition, a yoke member' arranged in the adjacent chamber andoperatively connected with said plunger, a spring` member arranged toengage said yoke meurber, said casing provided with means foreooperating with said spring member and engaging one end thereof, ashaft arranged in said casing and provided with teeth arranged to engagesaid yoke, said shaft projecting from the casing on the top sidethereof, and means for securing said shaft against rotation, comprisinga bracket connected with said floor plate, and provided With means forengaging' the upper end of said shaft.

ft. Vlhe combination in a door closing and checking device of the kinddescribed, of a casing provided with fluid containing chaml'ierstherein, means for securing said casing to a door, a fluid controlledplunger arranged in said casing, means for maintaining said plunger inoperative position, a

4shaft projecting from the interior of the casing to the exteriorthereof at the top side, said shaft having gear teeth thereon, a yokemember arranged in said casing and extending on each side of the saidshaft, and provided with teeth arranged to engage the teeth on saidshaft, means for operatively connecting said plunger and yoke,supplemental means arranged in the yoke chamber, and tending to maintainthe yoke and plunger in normal positions, and. means carried by a xedpart of the structure for engaging and locking the said shaft againstrotation.

5. AIn a door closing and checking device of the kinr;L described and incombination, a casing provided with oil containing chambers therein, anoil controlled plunger arranged in one of said chambers, a springarranged to oppose the movement of said plunger in said casing, a shaftarranged in said casing projecting from the top thereof, means arrangedin the other of said chambers for engaging said shaft and operativelyconnecting said plunger therewith, a supplemental spring member engagingsaid connecting means and a portion of said casino', and meanspositioned above the casing and secured to a fixed part of the structurefor engaging said shaft at the upper end thereof and preventing movementof the shaft upon movement of the casing thereabout, whereby when saidcasing is moved said plunger will be retracted.

6. In a door closing and checking device of the kind described, and incombination, a part arranged to be attached to the door, and a part,arranged to be attached to a fixed part of the structure, one of saidparts comprising a casing provided with oil containing chambers therein,an oil controlled plunger arranged in one of said chambers, a springarranged to oppose the movement of said plunger in said chamber, a shaftarranged in said casing with its upper end projecting from the topthereof to the eX- teriorof the casing, means arranged in the other ofsaid chambers for engaging said shaft and operatively connecting saidplunger therewith, a supplemental spring member arranged to coperatewith said connecting means and supplement said plunger spring, and meansfor connecting the eX- posed end of said shaft With the other part.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftWo subscribing Witnesses.

BLAIR W. GAlR.

lVitnesses ROY WV. HILL, CHARLES I. Conn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for nve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

